The Ministry of Transport has provided updates on the Strategic Development Road project, emphasizing its commitment to meeting the scheduled timelines. Spokesperson Maitham Al-Safi confirmed that the team is working to complete preliminary designs. Once they finish, they will begin the detailed design phase.
Al-Safi pointed out that the ministry is collaborating with consulting firms such as the Italian company Betti B for engineering and Oliver Wyman for financial consulting. Both firms are helping the ministry ensure the project progresses smoothly.
The Faw Port project, a major part of the development road, is advancing rapidly. Workers have completed five berths, and they have finished 85% of the navigation channel. The team has also completed 99% of the line linking the port to Umm Qasr city. They plan to open it next month. Furthermore, the container yard is almost 90% finished. These developments highlight the ongoing progress at the port.
Work continues on the submerged tunnel in the Khor Al-Zubair Canal. The team has completed the third of ten sections, and they are meeting the project’s timeline. Experts recognize this tunnel as a significant engineering achievement in the Middle East due to its complexity and scale.
The Strategic Development Road also includes land and rail transport lines designed to improve Iraq’s infrastructure. By the end of this year, the team will finalize the detailed designs for the entire project. Afterward, they will open it to international companies to foster competition and ensure high-quality standards.
Local committees in the governorates are helping implement the project. The Baghdad Governorate will manage a 23-kilometer section of the road. This part of the project will bring economic benefits to the region and offer new opportunities for local communities.
The project also includes plans to build the largest industrial city in the Faw port area. Developers will also build a tourist resort, a petrochemical plant, and water desalination plants. Along the road, multiple factories and laboratories will address local infrastructure needs and supply raw materials for surrounding areas.
The government has already set plans to develop 15 industrial cities connected to the development road. These cities will foster both local and global economic integration. The project will also connect areas not directly covered by the road through internal transport lines.
In conclusion, the Strategic Development Road project is transforming Iraq’s infrastructure and economy. The collaboration between local and international experts, as well as the progress at Faw Port, will have a significant impact on Iraq’s future development.